Overview

Although a large body of work has emerged which addresses neoliberal representations of the family in other cultural forms (such as parenting advice programmes) little has been written specifically on the family and contemporary literature. This book examines the growing body of autobiographical and fictional writing on family and parenting issues in Anglo-American culture from the late 1990s to the present day. The book looks closely at six distinct genres which have arisen during this time frame: the misery memoir, the mum’s lit popular novel, the maternal confessional, ‘dads’ lit, the dysfunctional domestic novel and the family noir. Writing the Modern Family will examine the way these burgeoning areas of British and American writing respond to a neoliberal public discourse in which a ‘parenting deficit’ rather than economic and structural disadvantage, is responsible for increasing inequality in child welfare and achievement. In evaluating these forms and their relationship to neoliberal culture, the book will also consider the complex interrelationship between these genres.

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9781786616500

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In Writing the Modern Family Roberta Garrett examines a range of recent fictional treatments of the family, demonstrating how such representations respond to a neoliberal culture of rewards and punishments for women's behaviour. Urgently topical and clearly written, the book marries literary criticism with cultural studies to offer a compelling insight into the ideological challenges faced by feminism in confronting continued patriarchal privilege.--Peter Morey, Professor and Chair in 20th Century English Literature, University of Birmingham

In Writing the Modern Family Roberta Garrett examines a range of recent fictional treatments of the family, demonstrating how such representations respond to a neoliberal culture of rewards and punishments for women's behaviour. Urgently topical and clearly written, the book marries literary criticism with cultural studies to offer a compelling insight into the ideological challenges faced by feminism in confronting continued patriarchal privilege.

Author Information

Roberta Garrett is Senior Lecturer in Literature and Cultural Studies at the University of East London, UK

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